Day one at JCK Las Vegas depicted enthusiasm amongst buyers and participants

The first day at the JCK Las Vegas was inaugurated with the traditional Lion Dotting Ceremony, sponsored by the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers Association and echoed optimism from both buyers and manufacturers. According to the preliminary attendance numbers most of the buyers are from the United States, from states of Arizona, California, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, New York and Texas. International buyers are coming in volume from Canada, Central and South America, Australia, Europe, especially the UK; Belgium, Germany, Italy and Russia.

The JCK Las Vegas VIP Retailer programme was a success with the retailers. The show lured retailers and buyers with the scale of new merchandise, to the extent that the heat of the economic slowdown was hardly felt at the show. Retailers and manufacturers could churn out a large number of appointments. Also, the Swiss Watch that opened yesterday, received rave responses from keen buyers of timepieces.

Apart from the buying platform, the attendance profile at the show itself was an attraction. Celebrity sightings were reported with Kris Jenner, star of E Entertainment's "Keeping Up With the Kardashians", while former model Kathy Ireland, from Kathy Ireland Jewelry, and Miss California 2009, Carrie Prejean, are scheduled to attend the show on Sunday, May 31.

The first day also enlisted some educational programmes. One such session presented by Ken Gassman of the Jewelry Industry Research Institute, carried the message of evolution and adaptation. A panel of esteemed industry professionals including Phyllis Bergman, Mercury Ring Corp.; Mark Michaels, Michaels Jewelers; Nehal Modi, Gitanjali; Kathy Corey, Day's Jewelers; Richard Fields, Unique Settings; Abe Sherman; BIG and Ron Spurga, ABN Amro, discussed the historical view of jewellery; how jewellery sales have rebounded after significant economic events and the long-term prospects for the industry. Another presentation was "Getting Real With Reality," by Bill Boyajian, Bill Boyajian & Associates, who called for business owners to take a more active leadership role in shaping the future of their businesses. "There is no more normal," Boyajian explained, "the world as we know it has changed. New retail formats, information overload, technology and a fast rate of change among other factors, all influence how business has and will change, yet the power to adapt to these changes is within. Don't limit yourself and don't leave the Show unwilling to make a change in your business."